Alfajores (Dulce de Leche Sandwich Cookies)

These Peruvian dulce de leche cookies called alfajores are buttery and sweet, with a touch of vanilla; try them for your next big gathering.

• Preparation Time: 45 mins
• Cooking Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Calories: 175 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup white sugar
• 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• ½ cup sifted confectioners' sugar
• ¼ cup sifted cornstarch
• 2 sticks butter
• 1 (11.5 ounce) jar dulce de leche
• ¼ cup confectioners' sugar, or as needed for dusting

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Mix flour, confectioners' sugar, cornstarch, and salt together in a bowl. Place butter in a separate bowl and use an electric mixer to beat until soft and fluffy. Add white sugar and vanilla and mix well.

Step 3

Add flour mixture to the bowl with the butter mixture in 3 stages; mix until just blended. Divide dough in half and roll each half into a log. Refrigerate dough logs until firm, about 2 hours.

Step 4

Slice dough logs into 1/4-inch cookies and place on a baking sheet.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until just starting to turn golden around the edges, 8 to 10 minutes.

Step 6

Allow cookies to cool on the pan for 1 minute. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely, about 30 minutes more.

Step 7

Use a knife to apply a generous amount of dulce de leche on one cookie. Sandwich another cookie on top and place on a serving tray. Repeat with remaining cookies and dulce de leche. Lightly dust finished cookies with confectioners' sugar.